Springfield daily republic. [volume] (Springfield, O. [Ohio]) 1887-1888, 1887-12-10
" OLESOME FEATURES ~ LABOR
NOTEMENTS.

WHOLESOME FEATURES IN LABOR
NOTEMENTS.
The labor problem is always with US, and
it will always remain with us. We are an
industrial people, and We are also people
of organizers. Ii is a demonstrated fact
that number Of persons working together
can accomplish their purposes to better ad-
!! vantage than were each to undertake the
work single-handed. Organization. for the
mutual benefit of individuals and for the
public good, was devised and put into prae-
tice BY the founder OF the Christian re-
ligiOn, and the Christian church of today,
with all of It's several departments, feat
ures. enterprises and operations. is a mar
yellous exhibition of what can be accom-
plished for the good of the world by mutual
and united effort.
Then we have organizations in politics.
We would be nothing less than an i'm
mense. unwieldy mob in this country il we
had no political parties. Without them
nothing would be settled or permanent and
ter day might bring forth.
Our agricultural friends formed them
selves into . Grange and attempted great
things. At first their operations were
crude and more or less unintelligent but they
stood together and thrust themselves in a
body, abruptly and vigorously. against the
great railway monopolIes, and to them the
country is indebted for great and most use
ful notifications. and indirectly-we be-
lIeve-for the better features of the Inter
State Commerce law.
Shall there be organization. in all de-
partments Of the religious, social and pOlit-
ical world. and none among workingmen?
This question has answered itself. We
have industrial organization-in both the
employing class and the working class.
The members Of each wing Of the great in
dustrial army-wdich ought, always, to be-
one and indivisible-have sought. very nat
uraliy, TO promote their own interests.
This we must expect and accept Is one OF
the facts which compose an important ele-
nient in the solution of the momentous
problem involved. There IL higher plane
of action-but il is only reached through
educational processes moral teachings,
study, experience. the indulgence aud
culture Of patriotic impulses and of Chris
tian principles-the fruit of which will. uiti-
mately, be the adoption of the principles of
the Golden Rule by both parties put
ting itself in the place of the other and
both considering what is likely to promote
the welfare and prosperity of both without
working harm to either.
Labor organizations are inevitable, and
We may. therefore. consider at this point,
the wholesome features OF labor orgsniza-
tons which are OF benefit to both the en-
ployer and the man who works for him.
Among the first Of these is the organized
movement among members Of labor organ
izations against drinking habits. And let
all decent and patriotic citizens be grateful
that this movement has acquired great
strength and effectiveness. 1t was spontane-
ous-springing up within the organizations
themselves-and we wish to do the work
ingmen of the country the justice to say
that their movement against dissipation and
is one of the most sensible aud
practical ever known. Years ago we had
railway accidents, caused by drunken epgi-
neers. Now who ever hears of drunken
engineer? All engineers and
nearly all-on our railways.
belong to Brotherhoods. whose laws forbid
the use Of intoxicating liquors. Is not this
feature OF immense benefit to railway COM
panies and their stockholders as well rs to
the travelling public and the country at
large.
The educating processes OF working
mems organizations are of great benefit
b 9TH to them and their employers-aiso to
the public. The members of labor unions
are led, from their very circumstances. to
study and investigate the most
important of the branches Of political econ
Dmy. No study has wider or more prac-
teal. range than theirs. Ii requires the
best heart and the best brain TO master il,
ci IL Cduuot Dc Sidppicu Will anu HltS-
tered unless one takes into consideration
b ,th sides and all sides of pending ques
lions. As a result of the situation we find
growing up among the wOrkingmen an Of the
.,untry race of practical political econo-
nists and real statesmen. And in a coun-
Try whose chief magistracy has been hon
bred bv representatives from the tailor's
o.nch and the canal tow path. We need not
De surprised at this. These statesmen
nave become good public speakers and
.eal men Of affairs. ard therefore useful
,itizens.
II is true also that through the organiza-
ion Of labor the character OF the work |
lone has been improved. We may speak |
II one feature of printers unions which |
As been Of benefit both TO employing print |
rs and TO their men-and that is that the |
managers of the union have encourag aged !,
md stimulated desire to excel on the part |
4 the rank and file. and as the result OF |